News of: Saturday, 30th of August, 2008

Front Page

The Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested three cheats in the city for taking Tk 24 lakh from the family of former caretaker government adviser Justice M Fazlul Huq in return for getting Huq acquitted of corruption charges.

Release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman will help the caretaker government thaw relations with BNP and ensure its participation in talks and the election, said party insiders.

Awami League (AL) is viewing the military backed caretaker government's manoeuvring for releasing detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman as an undue administrative favour towards BNP-Jamaat alliance, according to party insiders.

Heavy downpour worsened the flood situation in Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrakona while river erosion has taken a serious turn for the worse in Nilphamari due to swilling of the Teesta. Around 1 lakh people are said to be marooned in Netrakona.

With the month of Ramadan only a day or two away, prices of onion, aubergine, ginger, green chilli, sugar and milk that are used in preparing 'iftar' items have already marked a rise in kitchen markets in the capital.

Farmers in Bogra produced large quantities of local-variety paddy as interim crop between Boro and Aman. According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Bogra, the farmers of Bogra would earn around Tk 210 crore in addition by growing the interim crop.

Freedom fighters, civil society members and cultural activists yesterday vowed to continue the movement demanding trial of war criminals at all levels across the country until the execution of verdicts against the war criminals.

Renowned and pioneering figure in the country's theatre and former teacher of theatre at Chittagong University Prof Zia Hyder has been fighting for life at a city hospital. He has been suffering from Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma for four months.

Editorial

THE High Court judgement on the famous jail killing case, overturning the convictions handed out by the lower court and acquitting six former militarymen and upholding the death sentence of only Risaldar (retd) Muslemuddin, has generated more questions than answered.

HOW indiscriminate and pervasive the practice of the police requisitioning private transports has become can be quantified by a simple statistic: as many as 300 vehicles reportedly are commandeered on a daily basis! What was perceived to be a contingency measure to meet an exigency when the police felt an urgent need to replenish its fleet of transports has now become a daily affair. Why this must become a permanent feature of logistical dependence on privately-owned vehicles?

IT is universally acknowledged that right to information is not only a fundamental right but also a means to power. This enables individuals and institutions to make appropriate choices and also to meaningfully participate in the decision-making process itself. It also helps governments to become more accountable, to reduce corruption and poverty and to promote democracy. It also empowers public bodies to work more transparently.

WHO are to blame for the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not yet possible to determine. Still the jury is out. There is no doubting the inept handling by the government of India and its advisers. Religious ferment is the consequence of what has happened in the two regions, not the cause. The cause is the lack of political will and the inadequacy of successive governments at the centre to take decisions when it should have.

UNDERSTANDING the economic processes that generate inflation has been an important, yet elusive, objective for macroeconomists and monetary policy authorities. One piece of the puzzle is the role of inflation expectations (INFEXP) in the inflation generating process.

Sports

Fully settled in Darwin and encouraged by the team's batting form Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful is confident that the Tigers will give it all when the face Australia in the first ODI at the TIO Stadium today.

Irregular goal scorers Pranotosh Kumar and Waly Faisal fired seven-time champions Abahani into the final of the Federation Cup after six years with a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Farashganj yesterday.

Barcelona and Real Madrid stars united to help Spain win the European championships this summer but club allegiances now come first as Xavi, Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas gear up for this season's title duel.

India's fast bowlers bowled a claustrophobic line and length and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha strangled Sri Lanka's top order with flight and turn before Thilan Thushara and Jehan Mubarak gave their side a much-needed gasp of air with a crucial partnership in the dead rubber in Colombo.

Virat Kohli, the batsman who made his India ODI debut this month, will replace Shikhar Dhawan, the Delhi batsman, in the India A team for the 'Test' series against Australia A starting in Bangalore on September 3, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, has confirmed.

Shaun Tait will make his return to competitive cricket on Australia A's one-day tour of India next month after walking away from the game in January. It is the strongest indication yet that Tait will be in the mix for national selection this season following his decision to take time off due to mental and physical exhaustion.

Metropolitan

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) General Secretary Dr Maleka Banu yesterday urged the government to implement the National Women Development Policy-2008 for establishing rights of women in the society.

Experts at a media workshop yesterday suggested formulating a comprehensive long-term action plan to face the challenges of climate change since the country's food security will be most affected by this natural calamity.

The Ministry of Energy plans to place again the draft coal policy before the Cabinet Division by the end of September, clarifying all the queries that have cropped up over the mining modalities concerning the country's important natural wealth.

The government has decided to provide national film awards in 27 categories for the last four years (2004-2007) for smooth growth of the film industry as well as to inspire the creative contributors of this sector.

Results of honours third year and honours part-3 examinations held in 2006, and masters final examination held in 2005 under the National University (NU) were published on Thursday, says a press release.

A total of 232 Dhaka University (DU) teachers belonging to BNP-Jamaat backed 'white panel' yesterday expressed deep concern over the news of illness of detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman.

Noted lyricist Gobinda Haldar, who wrote a number of songs during the liberation war to inspire the freedom fighters, has now been critically ill and bedridden at his home in Kolkata, says a press release.

National

Over three years after construction in 2005, the bridge on Hurasagor River at Rasulpur village in Kamarkhanda upazila of Sirajganj district has remained useless for the people for want of approach roads on the two sides of the bridge.

The technology of using artificial insemination by the Veterinary Faculty of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) can play a vital role in development of livestock and meet the growing demand of milk in the country.

Top US and Pakistani military officials have met to discuss strategies to contain the growing militant threat along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said Thursday.

Campaigning for the September 6 presidential election gathered momentum on Thursday as the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stepped up efforts to win over the PML-Quaid (PML-Q).

Asif Ali Zardari, the man poised to become Pakistan's next president, is still known as "Mr. 10 Percent" because of corruption allegations. Now his own lawyers say he may have suffered from mental health problems within the past year.

Arts & Entertainment

To celebrate ten years of practicing and promoting Rabindra Sangeet, Cultural organisation Rabirashmi has arranged a three-daylong programme featuring music and poetry at Central Public Library, Shahbagh.

On the occasion of the 32nd death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Chhayanat arranged a cultural programme at its Ramesh Chandra Dutta Memorial Auditorium on August 28. Students and teachers of Chhayanat performed songs and poems of Nazrul at the programme.

Seasoned artiste Subir Nandi has won the National Film Award for "best playback singer (male)" for the year 2004. The song, Bhalobashi shokaley, is from the film Megher Porey Megh (directed by Chashi Nazrul Islam and produced by Impress Telefilm Ltd). Emon Shaha is the music composer and Gazi Mazharul Anwar is the lyricist of the song.

A 10-day group art exhibition, held at Metro Hall in Toronto, Canada, concluded on August 15. Nandanik Fine Arts in Toronto and Bangladesh-Canadian Community Services (BCCS) jointly organised the exhibition titled "Contemporary Arts on Humanity". Ten expatriate Bangladeshi artists took part in the exhibition.

Madonna has always revelled in controversy and with the recent launch of her concert tour, "Sticky & Sweet," the 50-year-old pop star has kicked up a new fuss by comparing John McCain to Adolf Hitler in a video.

OP-ED

The chain of events regarding the now-defunct never-really-born political intelligence office of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has undoubtedly created curiosity and misgivings in the minds of concerned citizens. The matter, however, would not have attracted much attention if the alleged political intelligence unit reportedly created under DMP Rules 2007 went about its mandated functions in a low key business-as-usual manner. Some other functional units including the much dreaded RAB continue to function without any significant demand from any quarter to put a stop to their work except the “crossfire' killings.

IT is not our wealth which built our roads, but roads which built our wealth,” John F. Kennedy, the late US president once said. Given the condition of our roads, it is not surprising that Bangladesh has been so slow to develop. With maintenance aspect totally ignored and drainage system abysmal, the roads in Dhaka city present a horrible look. Despite the fact that huge fund was allocated in the past years towards building new roads or improving the already poor condition of the roads, nothing tangible has come up.

The grand edifice of Islam stands on five very strong pillars (Rokons) viz: (1) Kalima (faith), (2) Salat (daily 5-time prayer), (3) Siam (fasting), (4) Hajj (pilgrimage) and (5) Zakat (the poor's due). Fasting or Siam is, therefore, one of these strong pillars. Siam is an Arabic word which means fasting, abstinence from food and drink. But when considered from the point of view of Islamic terminology the connotation is something more, something broader.

Environment

One: Paradigm

This is a time of paradigm change -- a change of values and perception generating new policies and practices. Rather than looking at mere appearance, we consider beingness and significance in socio-economic and aesthetic and physical terms. How does one actually react if he is asked opinion on something's looking good, feeling good or aesthetic impact? The paradigm shift is reflected in the changing ways of seeing, thinking, and doing, and hence of evaluating.

Plants, animals and microbes together constitute the essential natural biotic community of any sustainable ecosystem. Decomposer microbes are usually in plenty where the producer plants and consumer animals live together in harmony. But we the humans, known as the most destructive animal species, did not let most of the plants thrive well and thereby caused extinction of many animal species as well.

Literature

When I was born, a nurse at the Holy Family Hospital laid me beside my mother and smilingly said, “Your daughter is very fair. When she grows up, she'll be so pretty that nobody will be able to take their eyes off her.” My mother was overwhelmed to hear it; that moment was one of the few happiest ones of her life. She used to tell this story at dinnertime on almost all my birthdays, her face lighting up with joy. However, as I grew up, my complexion started turning darker and darker. Then mother would tell the same story with a certain melancholic strain in her voice.

On a drizzly November afternoon we set out for Sweden. Stefan (the hubby) and I thought about driving to the airport and leaving the car at the airport parking. Driving is a darn easy job for me these days. Couple of years back when GPS was freshly seen on the shelves of handful of doohickey stores and a few gutsy gadget inquisitors was testing them out I joined them. Previously a timorous driver, I now cruise through the interstate routes, catching up with the occasional change of radio stations as the car radio goes out of range from town after town. I love it, and do not get lost any longer. But Stefan and I ditched the idea of driving to the airport and instead chose the yellow line, the Q train, since we were only two blocks from the station and had little luggage. Aboard the plane we survived the airline rations and the parody of pretend night, morning and then almost pretend breakfast as if we had a whole evening, night and morning all in seven hours.

The Daily Star invites submissions to its forthcoming Eid special issue of both fiction and nonfiction pieces. High-grade translations in both categories will also be considered. Translations should be accompanied by the original Bengali copy. The submissions ideally should not exceed 3500 words. The last date for submission is September 10. The date will not be extended.

Star Health

During the preschool years, your child will emerge as an individual. No longer a toddler, he or she is less likely to throw a tantrum and should be more willing to cooperate - children of this age want to please their parents. Preschoolers also want to do things themselves, but they are willing to learn from mom and dad. This give-and-take creates opportunities for parents to teach kids about healthy food choices in new and exciting ways.

Major inequalities in health and life expectancy persist worldwide, according to an independent World Health Organisation commission which recently called for all countries to offer universal health care.

Drinking water that contains disinfection by-products at regulatory cut-off levels does not appear to raise a pregnant woman's risk of delivering a small baby or delivering prematurely, new research shows.

Earlier we have been talking about the good effects of fresh fruits and vegetables. Today we will also look at some other amazing natural food items. One can find diversity in our Bangla food like our culture and climate. There is no doubt that our food is rich and delicious and spices are at the heart of our food to enhance appetite and taste. Let's talk about some very special food we should not ignore:

* No addict can be forced to give up the drug.* Start with yourself. Gain knowledge about addiction and find the courage to deal with it.* Do not treat the addict on your own.* Accept the reality — no matter how harsh.* Do not let the addict control your behaviour. Don’t be ambivalent, at any cost. Don’t ever panic.* Do not infuse guilt via moralising or losing your temper.* Try and understand the addict and make him/her feel that you care.* Be patient. Do not look for shortcuts. Recovery takes between four to six months.* Pray to God. It works.* Do something. To do nothing is the second worst choice you can make.

Recently Japan Bangladesh Friendship Medical Services has launched the Tele-Video healthcare services for all, says a press release. The inaugural programme was held on August 28 in a hotel in the capital.

Strategic Issues

AFTER resignation of President Musharraf, it is disappointing to note that Pakistan's politicians are divided as ever. The PPP and PML (N), the two largest parties in Pakistan are deeply split on national issues. PPP is led by Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari and PML (N) is led by former Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

INTERNATIONALLY the US presidential elections between the two candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, reflect all spheres of the US administration. The current American president is a lame duck who cannot conduct any substantial domestic or international policy.

SENATOR Obama has chosen Senator Biden as his running mate during the Democratic convention now underway in Denver. Many outside the USA and particularly in Bangladesh will be disappointed that it was not Senator Hillary Clinton on the ticket. Has Obama made the same mistake that Al Gore did in 2000 where the choice of the Vice-President was crucial in the ultimate result in a very closely fought election?

INDIA and Israel exist in a hostile environment, encircled by inexorable adversaries and a militarised regional milieu. Both countries have fought wars and witnessed crises in every decade of their existence and both are nations confronting external and internal security threats due to terrorism. Israel pursues its uncongenial anti-Islamic stance, while India pursues the path of a secular state to reconcile its large minorities and each country has adopted significantly different strategic approaches to combat terrorism.

Star Books Review

The war for Bangladesh continues to be a major concern for people intrigued by the history of the Indian subcontinent. And then there are people, notably in Pakistan, who would rather look away from the 1971 story largely because of the deep embarrassment it still causes them. For one thing, the war signified a break-up of Pakistan through its eastern wing reasserting itself as the independent republic of Bangladesh. For another, it was a military defeat for an army that had always prided itself, however delusionally, on its bravery in the battlefield. In 1971, that bravery was sorely tested before the Mukti Bahini, the Bengali guerrilla army, and then the Indian army towards the end of the Bangladesh struggle for liberation.

Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being is an exploration into the philosophical concept of lightness, used in ontology and associated with existentialism. Nietzsche's doctrine of eternal return is used to illustrate lightness. The idea, according to Kundera, is 'a mad myth.' Its reverse shows that 'a life which disappears once and for all……does not return …is like a shadow without weight.' Life's 'horror, sublimity and beauty mean nothing.'

Shaheed is the nickname of Anwar-ul-Alam, who is one of the two great heroes of Tangail Mukti Bahini during the War of Liberation in 1971. Shaheed was the deputy commander and civilian administrator of Tangail during the war. History bestowed upon him the great task of leading the war in the area, a job he accomplished with great wisdom and selflessness. The military commander of Tangail Mukti Bahini, Kader Siddiqui, depended a lot on this intelligent man.

There is a certain pleasure in reviewing works on Lalon and his songs. This work on the mystic by Haroonuzzaman is a rare publication. The book only reasserts our feelings of debt to Lalon. His songs have always enriched and nurtured our souls and minds. It is certainly true that Lalon's is one of the most talented and philosophically insightful minds as revealed in oral and textual traditions. He disseminated his ideas in mind-boggling songs, through a remarkable multitude of musical compositions. The main musical instruments ektara and dugdugi for Lalon music are easily found anywhere in Bangladesh, for the culture he upholds defines the quality of life here. Lalon songs are philosophical, contemplative and thought-provoking. The language of the songs is very simple but the essence of the language is very contemplative, powerful and rich. The songs project before us a heavenly and mysterious world.